NASSO
Numbers
4:21-7:89
Judges
13:2-25
Acts
21:17-2
Our Portion includes further job instructions
to the Levites. Moshe was instructed to purify the Mishkan, the portable
sanctuary. Four laws relating to the Cohanim are given. The restitution
for stolen property, where the owner is deceased and has no next of kin,
goes to the Cohanim.
If a man suspects his wife of being unfaithful,
he brings her to the Cohanim for the Sotah, clarification ceremony.
If a person chooses to withdraw from the material world and consecrate
himself exclusively to the service of the Lord by becoming a Nazir, he
vows to not drink wine or eat grape products, may not come in contact with
dead bodies and may not cut his hair. He must come to the Cohen at the
completion of the vow.
The Cohanim were instructed to bless the people with this blessing, “May
the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon
you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you
and give you peace.”
The Mishkan is erected and dedicated on the first of Nissan in the second
year after the Exodus. The leaders of each tribe jointly gave wagons and
oxen to transport the Mishkan. During each of the twelve days of
dedication, successively, each tribal prince (leader) gives gifts of gold
and silver vessels, sacrificial animals and meal offerings. Every prince
gives exactly the same gifts as every other prince.
In the priestly blessing, from Numbers 6:25, it states, “The Lord make His
face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto you." How can G-d keep and
guard a people who sin against Him? The Hebrew word Chanan,
which translates into the English word gracious, tells us that G-d shows
favor. In the Brit Hadashah the Greek word translates to
unconditional forgiveness.
In the book of Hosea, G-d gives us a great illustration of unconditional
love and forgiveness. The story is about the prophet and his troubles with
his wife Gomer. It really is a message about the state of the spiritual
condition of the nation of Israel as well as the state of the nations who
have strayed away from the one and only G-d of the universe. Still we see
that G-d is in the business of forgiveness and always grants favor, love,
and forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 tells us that we have redemption and
forgiveness according to the riches of His grace, or as the
Hebrew word translates it as the word favor.
The Aaronic blessing finishes with Aaron being told to
place G-d's name upon the children of Israel (Numbers 6:27). With this
benediction, the Priests place the sacred name of G-d into the hearts and
minds of His people. This results in a blessing upon the nation. When G-d
puts His name upon us, it is as if he wants us to fully identify with him.
It is also a sign that we belong to Him. He is telling us that He is not
ashamed to have us as His people, bearing His name throughout all the
earth.
We have a great blessing and responsibility bearing His name to all the
nations. Be proud, doubt not His love and favor.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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